Naval Investiture Ceremony, an annual event for the Indian Navy, was held at Command Parade Ground, Eastern Naval Command Visakhapatnam today, 20 April 2017. Admiral Sunil Lanba PVSM, AVSM, ADC, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), conferred Gallantry and non Gallantry Awards to their recipients on behalf of the President of India at an impressive ceremonial parade.

Admiral Sunil Lanba was received at the parade ground by Vice Admiral HCS Bisht, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command. The CNS inspected a 50 men Armed Guard and reviewed the platoons of Naval and DSC personnel drawn from various ships and establishments of the ENC.

Speaking on the occasion, Admiral Lanba said that the occasion is of special significance, as it allows us to formally acknowledge commendable gallantry as well as devotion to duty of the fellow shipmates. He also thanked the family members of the award winners for their support to the service personnel in their performance of duty. He added that the core values - Duty, Honour and Courage forms the fundamental traits expected from all naval personnel. The award winners have displayed these and many more qualities such as patriotism, courage, fighting spirit, integrity sincerity, perseverance, discipline humility and selflessness that would have come to define our fine service. He also said that he firmly believed that it is the team work and never say die attitude of naval personnel that has made the Indian navy a strong and capable maritime force in the world today. The leadership, foresight and devotion to duty displayed by naval personnel has enabled a steady growth of our service and transformed us into a blue water navy.

The CNS also presented unit citation to two afloat units and six shore establishments who have delivered exceptional performance over the past one year. These include IN Ships Trikand, Sunayna, IN Air Squadron 312A, Command Clearance Diving Team, Mumbai, INS Eksila at Visakhapatnam, Naval Ship Repair Yard, Karwar, Base Victualling Yard, Kochi and INS Kardip in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Naval Dockyard, Mumbai and INS Shivaji at Lonavala, Maharastra were awarded with the ‘CNS Trophy for Best Green Practices’ for the environment friendly / green initiatives.

Apart from the relatives of the award winners, the Ceremonial parade was also attended by Flag Officers, Commanding Officers of various ships, submarines and establishments and a large number of service and civilian personnel and their families.

BVY Kochi being awarded the Unit Citation

CCDT Mumbai being awarded the Unit Citation

INAS 312A being awarded the Unit Citation

INS Eksila being awarded the Unit Citation

INS Kardip being awarded the Unit Citation

INS Sunayna being awarded the Unit Citation

INS Trikand being awarded the Unit Citation

NSRY Karwar being awarded the Unit Citation

Naval Investiture Ceremony - Medals Being Presented

NAO SENA MEDAL:
This medal is awarded in recognition of individual acts of exceptional courage or devotion to duty as have special significance for the Navy.

VISHISHT SEVA MEDAL:
This medal is awarded for distinguished service of a high order to all three services.

LIEUTENANT VK JAIN MEMORIAL GOLD MEDAL:
This medal is awarded to Naval personnel who achieve excellence in the field of Research and Development in naval projects.

CAPTAIN RAVI DHIR MEMORIAL GOLD MEDAL:
This medal is awarded for contribution towards enhancement of flight safety or prevention of a major accident to naval aircraft.

SARVOTTAM JEEVAN RAKSHA PADAK:
This award is given to personnel who display supreme and exceptional acts of courage in saving lives from drowning, fire and mining accidents.

JEEVAN RAKSHA PADAK:
This award is given to personnel who display exceptional acts of courage in saving lives from drowning, fire and mining accidents.

UNIT CITATION: These are presented to ships and establishments in recognition of their contribution for operational effectiveness and operational tasks undertaken.

BEST GREEN PRACTICES: The Chief of Naval Staff Rolling Trophy for Best Green Practices is awarded to establishments to their environment friendly / green initiatives.